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FIGHTINGFORPEACEINSOMALIA

FightingforPeace inSomalia

AHistoryandAnalysisoftheAfrican UnionMission(AMISOM),2007–2017

PAULD.WILLIAMS

GreatClarendonStreet,Oxford,OX26DP, UnitedKingdom

OxfordUniversityPressisadepartmentoftheUniversityofOxford. ItfurtherstheUniversity’sobjectiveofexcellenceinresearch,scholarship, andeducationbypublishingworldwide.Oxfordisaregisteredtrademarkof OxfordUniversityPressintheUKandincertainothercountries

©PaulD.Williams2018

Themoralrightsoftheauthorhavebeenasserted

FirstEditionpublishedin2018

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Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedin aretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyformorbyanymeans,withoutthe priorpermissioninwritingofOxfordUniversityPress,orasexpresslypermitted bylaw,bylicenceorundertermsagreedwiththeappropriatereprographics rightsorganization.Enquiriesconcerningreproductionoutsidethescopeofthe aboveshouldbesenttotheRightsDepartment,OxfordUniversityPress,atthe addressabove

Youmustnotcirculatethisworkinanyotherform andyoumustimposethissameconditiononanyacquirer

PublishedintheUnitedStatesofAmericabyOxfordUniversityPress 198MadisonAvenue,NewYork,NY10016,UnitedStatesofAmerica

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LinkstothirdpartywebsitesareprovidedbyOxfordingoodfaithand forinformationonly.Oxforddisclaimsanyresponsibilityforthematerials containedinanythirdpartywebsitereferencedinthiswork.

Acknowledgements

ThisbookhasbeennearlyelevenyearsinthemakingandIhaveincurredmany debtsofgratitudealongtheway.Iampleasedtoacknowledgethemhere.

Firstandforemost,thisbookwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthe numerousindividualswhotooktimeoutoftheirbusyschedulestohelpme understanddifferentaspectsofAMISOM’sactivitiesandanswermymany questions.Someofthemdidthismanytimesoverandalsosubsequentlyspent considerableadditionaltimecommentingonmoreofmydraftpublications thanIcouldreasonablyexpect.Manyofthemworked(orarestillworking)in incrediblydifficultjobsundertestingandsometimesdeadlycircumstances tryingtobuildamoresecure,democratic,andprosperousSomalia,whetheras citizensorjournalists,inNGOsoringovernments,orforinternational organizationsincludingtheAfricanUnion(AU),UnitedNations(UN),and EuropeanUnion.Sincemostofthemwereservingofficials,andasagreedat thetime,theywillremainanonymous.Butthisbookisfarbetterthanitwould havebeenwithoutyourconstructiveengagementandIamtrulygrateful.

IoweaparticulardebtofthankstotheAfricanUnion.Thisbookcouldnot havebeencompletedwithouttheAUgrantingmyrequesttomeetitspersonnelandaccessdocumentationandothermaterial.Inplaces,myworkiscritical ofaspectsoftheAU’spolicies,butIgratefullyacknowledgetheconstructive supportthatIreceivedformorethanadecadefromnumerousAUofficials. Theyhavemyrespectandadmiration.

WhileinSomalia,thanksareespeciallyduetotheAU–UNInformation SupportTeamforprovidingaccommodation, flights,security,andfacilitating accessforinterviews.Theytoowerealwayssupportiveofmyresearch,even whenIcriticizedelementsoftheirwork.IalsowanttothankvariousBancroft GlobalDevelopmentpersonnelfortheirhospitalityandtakingthetimeto discusstheiroperationsinSomaliawithme.

AspecialnoteofthanksisalsoduetoDrTimothyRaineyandtheteamat theUSDepartmentofState’sAfricaContingencyOperationsTraining andAssistance(ACOTA)programmeforgrantingmefullaccesstotheir unclassifieddocumentationrelatedtoAMISOM.Thiswasimmenselyhelpful incompletingthisbookandsheddingimportantlightonthecomplex challengesthatACOTAconfrontedandtheimportanttrainingandcapacitybuildingworkthattheirpersonnelprovidedtoAMISOManditscontributing countries.

For financialassistancethatfacilitatedmyresearchandtravel,Iwouldonce againliketothankMichaelBrown,theformerDeanoftheElliottSchoolof InternationalAffairs,forawardingmeseveralSOARgrants.Iamalsograteful

totheElliottSchoolforgrantingmesabbaticalleaveduringacademicyear 2014–15.DuringthatperiodIwasawardedafellowshiptoworkonthisbook attheWoodrowWilsonInternationalCenterforScholars.Iamverygrateful totheWilsonCenterstaffandespeciallytheAfricaProgramteamforprovidingsuchawelcomingandconducivesettingforscholarship.Thanksare alsoduetoKatharinaKrauseandDanMorgan-Russell,researchassistants thattheWilsonCenterarrangedtohelpmeduringmyfellowship.Ialso receivedhelpfulresearchassistancefromElliottSchoolstudentJianyiNie during2014.

Acknowledgementisalsoduetoseveraljournalsandinstitutionsthat publishedearlierversionsofsomeofmyargumentsaboutAMISOM,including ‘IntotheMogadishuMaelstrom:TheAfricanUnionMissioninSomalia’ , InternationalPeacekeeping,16:4(2009),pp.514–30; ‘FightingforPeacein Somalia:AMISOM’sSevenStrategicChallenges’ , JournalofInternational Peacekeeping,17:3–4(2013),pp.222–47; ‘TheAfricanUnionMissionin SomaliaandCivilianProtectionChallenges’ , Stability:InternationalJournal ofSecurity&Development,2:2(2013),p.39.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/ sta.bz; ‘StabilisingSomalia:TheAfricanUnionMissionandtheNextStage intheWaragainstAl-Shabaab’ , RUSIJournal,159:2(2014),pp.52–60; B.E.BrutonandP.D.Williams, Counter-InsurgencyinSomalia:Lessons LearnedfromtheAfricanUnionMissioninSomalia,2007–2013 (Tampa,FL: UnitedStatesJointSpecialOperationsUniversity,2014); ‘AfterWestgate: Challengesandopportunitiesinthewaragainstal-Shabaab’ , International Affairs,90:4(2014),pp.907–23;P.D.WilliamswithA.Hashi, ExitStrategy ChallengesfortheAUMissioninSomalia (Mogadishu:HeritageInstitutefor PolicyStudies,February2016); ‘AMISOMUnderReview’ , RUSIJournal,161:1 (2016),pp.40–9;W.LotzeandP.D.Williams, TheSurgetoStabilize:Lessons fortheUNfromtheAU’sExperienceinSomalia (NewYork:International PeaceInstitutereport,May2016); TheBattleatElAdde:TheKenyaDefence Forces,al-Shabaab,andUnansweredQuestions (NewYork:International PeaceInstitute,July2016); UNSupporttoRegionalPeaceOperations:Lessons fromUNSOA (NewYork:InternationalPeaceInstitute,February2017); ‘JoiningAMISOM:WhysixAfricanstatescontributedtroopstotheAfrican UnionMissioninSomalia’ , JournalofEasternAfricanStudies,12:1(2018), pp.172–92; ‘StrategicCommunicationsforPeaceOperations:TheAfrican Union’sInformationWaragainstal-Shabaab’ , Stability:InternatioanlJournal ofSecurity&Development ,7(1)(2018),p.3.DOIhttp://doi.org/10.5334/ sta.606.andmy chapteronAMISOMinJ.M.OkekeandP.D.Williams (eds.), ProtectingCiviliansinAfricanUnionPeaceSupportOperations:Key CasesandLessonsLearned (SouthAfrica:ACCORD,2017).Ioweanespecially largedebttomyco-authorsonsomeofthesepublications,namely,Arthur Boutellis,BronwynBruton,KatharinaColeman,SolomonDersso,Abdirashid Hashi,WalterLotze,andJideOkeke.Ilearnedagreatdealintheprocessand

amgratefulfortheirexpertiseandfriendship.Ialsowanttorecognizeother friendsandcolleagueswhohavegivenupconsiderableamountsoftheirtime tohelpmecompletethisbook,eitherthroughconversationsorcommenting ondraftpapers.ThankyouAlexBellamy,EricBerman,CedricdeConing, JonathanFisher,LinnéaGelot,MarcoJowell,RobynKriel,JairVanDerLijn, TyMcCormick,FrankReidy,ColinRobinson,TimoSmit,ThierryTardy,Tres Thomas,andNinaWilén.IamalsogratefultoThongNguyenoftheInternationalPeaceInstitutefordrawingseveralofthe figuresthatappearin thisbook.

My finaldebtofgratitudeistomyfamily.Neitherofmyparents,Caroleand DavidWilliams,livedtoseethisbook’scompletion,butIwouldn’tbewhere Iamtodaywithouttheloveandsupporttheygaveme.Imissyou.Onceagain, myincrediblewife,ArielaBlätter,hasenabledmetodowhatIdoandIcould notdoitwithouther.Iloveyou.Finally,Iwanttothankmywonderful daughterZoëforbringingussuchjoy.Thistimearound,agedfour,shevoiced aclearopinionaboutmywork.Flickingthroughapileofbooksonmyoffice floor,shedeclared, ‘Daddy,yourbooksaretooseriousanddon’thaveenough pictures!’ You’rerightZoë,andsoonI’llexplainwhy.

Ofcourse,Ialoneamresponsibleforanyremainingerrors.

WashingtonDC October2017

PDW

1.Genesis:October2004toMarch200721

2.Entry:March2007toJanuary200948

3.Stalemate:January2009toAugust201077

4.Offensive:September2010toOctober2011101

5.Expansion:October2011toSeptember2012126

6.Consolidation:September2012toDecember2013155

ListofFigures,Tables,andBox

Figures

I.1.AMISOMAuthorizedandDeployedStrength,2007–173

I.2.AMISOM’sOrganizationalStructure,20126

I.3.AMISOM’sSectorBoundaries:2012(left)and2014(right)9

4.1.MogadishuIncidentReview(April2010toApril2011)112

4.2.AMISOMandUrbanWarfare115

7.1.Major Al-Shabaab AttacksonAMISOM’sForwardOperating Bases,2015–17196

7.2.ComparingAMISOMandSNASectorsandSomalia’sInterim PoliticalEntities(2016)205

8.1.UNSOA/Stotalbudgetrequirements,UN fiscalyears2009/10–2017/18216

8.2.ContributionstoTrustFundforAMISOMandtheSomaliNational Army(upto2015)223

13.1.MonthlyAllowancesforUniformedPersonnelinAMISOM andUNPeacekeepingOperations,2007–2017(US$)323

Tables

I.1.AMISOMTCCsarmysize,defencespending(US$),andcontribution3

4.1.AMISOM’sproposedforcecomposition(2010)103

4.2.IEDincidentsinSomalia,2007–14109

5.1. Al-Shabaab’sDispersalofForces,November2011151

6.1.AUandUNmandatesforAMISOMcompared(2013)161

7.1.OperationalchallengesfacingAMISOM,April2015187

8.1.CompaniesoperatinginAMISOMbasecamp,September2012217

8.2.ComparingUNSOAresourcestoselectUNpeacekeepingoperations222

8.3.DistancesbetweenSomalicities(kilometres)228

9.1.EstimatedsizeoftheSomaliArmedForces,1963–2017242

9.2.Distributionof10,900SNAconductingjointoperationswith AMISOM(2015)245

12.1.AMISOMbudgetsummary,2011and2013–16(US$)314

13.1.Summaryofpotentialmodesofexitforpeaceoperations327

13.2.ModesofexitinmajorforeignmilitaryoperationsinSomalia, 1992–2015328

A.1.EstimatesofcumulativeAMISOMfatalities358

Box

10.1.ExamplesofAUandAMISOMmeasurestomitigate civilianharm275

ListofAbbreviations

ACOTAAfricaContingencyOperationsTrainingandAssistance(US)

AFRICOMUSAfricaCommand

AMISAUMissioninSudan

AMISECAUMissionforSupporttotheElectionsintheComoros

AMISOMAfricanUnionMissioninSomalia

APCArmouredPersonnelCarrier

APFAfricanPeaceFacility(EU)

ARPCTAlliancefortheRestorationofPeaceandCounterterrorism

ARSAlliancefortheRe-LiberationofSomalia

ASWJ AhluSunnaWalJamaa

AUAfricanUnion

BNDFBurundiNationalDefenceForce

BOIBoardofInquiry

C-IEDCounter-ImprovisedExplosiveDevice

CARCentralAfricanRepublic

CCTARCCiviliancasualtytrackinganalysisandresponsecell

CIAUSCentralIntelligenceAgency

CIMICCivil–MilitaryCoordination

CONOPSConceptofOperations

DDRDisarmament,Demobilization,andReintegration

DFSUNDepartmentofFieldSupport

DPKOUNDepartmentofPeacekeepingOperations

DRCDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo

EARFEastAfricanResponseForce(US)

EASFEasternAfricaStandbyForce

EDDExplosiveDetectingDog

ENDFEthiopiaNationalDefenceForce

EODExplosiveordnancedisposal

EPRDFEthiopianPeoples’ RevolutionaryDemocraticFront

EUEuropeanUnion

FAD ForcesArméesdeDjiboutiennes

FGSFederalGovernmentofSomalia

FOBForwardOperatingBase

FPUFormedPoliceUnit

HRDDPHumanRightsDueDiligencePolicy(UN)

IDPInternallyDisplacedPerson

IEDImprovisedExplosiveDevice

IGADIntergovernmentalAuthorityonDevelopment

IGASOMIGADPeaceSupportMissiontoSomalia

IHLInternationalhumanitarianlaw

IMATTInternationalMilitaryAdvisoryandTrainingTeam

IPOIndividualPoliceOfficer

IRAInterimRegionalAdministration

ISFInternationalStabilizationForce

ISRIntelligence,surveillance,andreconnaissance

ISTInformationSupportTeam

ISTARIntelligence,surveillance,targetacquisition,reconnaissance

JCMJointCoordinationMechanism

KDFKenyanDefenceForce

MIAMogadishuInternationalAirport

MOCCMilitaryOperationsCoordinationCommittee

MONUSCOUNStabilizationMissionintheDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo

MRAPMineResistantAmbushProtected

MSRMainSupplyRoute

NATONorthAtlanticTreatyOrganization

NGONon-GovernmentalOrganization

NSCNationalSecurityCouncil

NSSPNationalSecurityandStabilizationPlan(Somalia)

OCHAOfficefortheCoordinationofHumanitarianAffairs(UN)

PIUPublicInformationUnit

POCProtectionofCivilians

PSCPeaceandSecurityCounciloftheAfricanUnion

PSODPeaceSupportOperationsDivision(AU)

QIPQuickImpactProject

QRFQuickReactionForce

RPGRocket-propelledgrenade

ROERulesofEngagement

RSLAFRepublicofSierraLeoneArmedForces

SCICSupremeCouncilofIslamicCourts

SEASexualexploitationandabuse

SNASomaliNationalArmy

SNPSomaliNationalPolice

SNSFSomaliNationalSecurityForces

SPFSomaliPoliceForce

SRCCSpecialRepresentativeoftheChairpersonoftheAUCommission

SRSGSpecialRepresentativeoftheUNSecretary-General

SSRSecuritysectorreform

TCCTroop-ContributingCountry

TFGTransitionalFederalGovernment

TFITransitionalFederalInstitutions

TNGTransitionalNationalGovernment

UAVUnmannedaerialvehicle

UPDFUgandaPeople’sDefenceForce

UNUnitedNations

UNAMIDAfricanUnion–UnitedNationsMissioninDarfur

UNMASUNMineActionService

UNMEEUNMissioninEthiopiaandEritrea

UNMISUNMissioninSudan

UNMISSUNMissioninSouthSudan

UNOCIUNOperationinCôted’Ivoire

UNPOSUNPoliticalOfficeforSomalia

UNSOAUNSupportOfficeforAMISOM

UNSOMUNAssistanceMissioninSomalia

UNSOSUNSupportOfficeinSomalia

USCUnitedSomaliCongress

Wad Madani Gedaref

Kurmuk

Mendi Gidami

Kigille

Gambela

Akobo

Towot Pibor Post

Dembi Dolo

Jinja Tororo

Kisumu

Kericho

Shinyanga Musoma

HORN OF AFRICA

Metema

Bure

Debre Mark'os

Nek'emte Gimbi Guba

Agaro Gore

Jima

Shewa Gimira Yeki

Gonder

Sek'ot'a

Fiche Debre Birhan

Addis Ababa

Hagere Hiywet Boor Mojo Nazret

Hosa'ina Awasa

Yirga 'Alem Sodo

Abaya Hayk

Goha Galadi

Sogata Arba Minch'

Todenyang Kapoeta

Lokwa Kangole

Lodwar

Kibre Menguist

(Sanaa)'

Werder Shilabo

Gaalkacyo War Galoh

Ch'amo Hayk

Ch'amo Hayk

Garadase Banya Murle

Lake Turkana (Lake Rudolf)

Filtu Negele

Mega Moyale Kusa

North Horr Loiyangalani Lokichar

Nyahururu

Takaba El Wak Buna

Garbahaarrey

Beledweyne Ferfer

Xuddur Dolo Bay

Hobyo Dhuusamarreeb

Buulobarde Ceeldheere

Baardheere

Wajir Kismaayo Laisamis

Bilis Qooqaani

Arusha Tilka

Machakos

Namanga Mwanza

Maralal Kakamega Eldoret Nanyuki Nyeri Embu Nakuru Moshi Mombasa Kilifi Malindi Moroto

Voi

Lamu Garsen

Baraawe Bu'aale

Buur Gaabo

Tanga

Asayita

DJIBOUTI

GULF OF ADEN

Caluula Breeda

Bandar Murcaayo

Gees Gwardafuy

Nazret Dire Dawa Jijiga Dikhil Harer

Silil

Saylac

Raas Maskan

AWDAL

Baki

Togwajaale

ETHIOPIA

Imi Megalo

KENYA

Dolo Bay

Hargele

Wajir

Boorama GEDO

El Beru Hagia Baardheere

JUBA DHEXE

Afmadow Luuq

Bilis Qooqaani

JUBA HOOSE

Garsen Lamu

Boosaaso (Bender Cassim)

Raas Surud

Bullaxaar

WOQOOYI GALBEED

Hargeysa

Degeh Bur Gode

Butyaalo

Jaceel

Bargaal

Isole Giuba

Buur Gaabo

Raas Kaambooni

Karin Xiis Maydh Laasqoray

Berbera

Raas Khansiir

Burco (Burao)

Kiridh Oodweyne

TOGDHEER

Dahot

Ceerigaabo (Erigavo)

Der Darro Eyl

Buuhoodle

Qandala Hurdiyo

Iskushuban

Karkaar Mountains

Qardho

Garadag Eyl

Dudo

Raas Binna

Raas Xaafuun

Xaafuun

Bandarbeyla Xudun

Taxeex

Laascaanood

Gori Rit

Werder

Shilabo K'ebri Dahar

Ferfer

BAKOOL HIRAAN

Garbahaarrey Baydhabo (Baidoa)

Buurhakaba Diinsoor

Bu'aale

Jilib

Djibouti BAY

Haaway

Jamaame

GALGUDUUD MUDUG NUGAAL SOOL

Beledweyne (Oddur) Xuddur

Tayeeglow Buulobarde

Wanlaweyn

Qoryooley

SHABELLE HOOSE

Baraawe

Kismaayo (Chisimayu)

Garoowe Gaalkacyo (Galcaio)

Raas Gabbac

Xamure Beyra Berdaale

Seemade

War Galoh Mirsaale Baxdo Mereer-Gur

Dhuusamarreeb (Dusa Marreb)

Ceel Buur Derri

SHABELLE DHEXE

Cadale Mahadday Weym

Jawhar (Giohar)

Balcad Afgooye

Hobyo

Ceeldheere Ceel Huur

Xarardheere

Garacad

Hilalaya

Muqdisho (Mogadishu)

Marka (Merca)

National

Regional

Town, village Airport

International

Regional

Undetermined boundary

Main road

Track

Railroad

ToAfgooyeTown and(4km) K50(24Km)

ToBalcad Town (around30Km) Legend

DAYNILE

Dayniile

Creation Date:

Projection/Datum:

Web Resources:

E-mail: Nominal Scale at A4 paper size: 15/02/2010 Geographic/WGS 84 http://ochaonline.un.org/somalia peterson1@un.org

kms

Map data source(s): IDP Settlements: OCHA, Metria and UNHCR All Admin. layers: UNDP Somalia (1998)

DHARKENLEY

Mogadishu North / Ceel Maan

HEL EL WAA

YAAAAQSH ID KARAAARAAN

Bakara Market K-4 junction

WADAAG

XAMAR WEYNE

XAMAR JAABJAB

Vil a Somal a Villa Somalia New seaport

Mogadogadishu

Introduction

‘Eachmorningthelionwakesupandknowsthathemustrunfasterthan theantelopeorhewillstarve.Theantelopewakesupandknowsthathe mustrunfasterthanthelioninordertosurvive.Sowhetheryouarealion oranantelope,whenthemorningarrives,you’dbetterberunning.’

ThisversionofamotivationalAfricanfablewasdisplayedintheforce headquartersoftheAfricanUnionMissioninSomalia(AMISOM)inJanuary 2013.DeployedtoMogadishuinMarch2007,AMISOM’speacekeepershave been ‘running’ formorethantenyears.Theyweretaskedwithstabilizingthe countrythathadbecometheworld’sparadigmaticexampleof ‘statefailure’ , warlordism,andcorruptionformorethantwentyyears.¹Inpracticalterms, thismeantAMISOM’spersonnelhadto fightforpeaceinSomalianotjust keepit.Theirprincipalopponentwasthe Harakatal-Shabaabal-Mujahideen (hereafter, al-Shabaab/‘theyouth’),anadaptableanddeadlyorganizationthat triedtodestroythesuccessivesetsofSomaliauthoritiesthatAMISOMwas mandatedtoprotect.

ThestoryofAMISOM’sstruggleinwhatbecamethedeadliestpeace operationinmodernhistoryisremarkableinitsownrightformanyreasons thatwillbediscussedinthisbook.Butitisalsoimportantbecauseitprovides insightsintohowtoaddresssomeofthemostdifficultchallengesfacing contemporarypeaceoperationsinothercountries:How,forinstance,cana peaceoperationhelpstabilizeacountrywithoutafunctionalcentralgovernmentorapeaceprocess?Howcanapeaceoperationcombatatransnational, partlycriminalorganizationthatreliesonasymmetricandterrortacticsbut alsohasdeeprootsinsignificantsegmentsofthelocalpopulation?Howcan multipleinternationalorganizationsandstatespartnereffectivelytodefeat suchafoe?Howcanapeaceoperationsucceedwhenthereisahugegap

¹Duringthisperiod,Somaliaconsistentlyrankedatorverynearthebottomofgovernance andcorruptionindicessuchastheWorldBank’ s GovernanceMatters database,http://info. worldbank.org/governance/wgi/#home;theFundforPeace’sFailed/FragileStatesIndex,http:// fundforpeace.org/fsi/;andTransparencyInternational’sCorruptionPerceptionsIndex,www. transparency.org.

betweenitscapabilitiesanditsmandatedtasks?Andhowshouldanalystsand practitionersalikesetexpectationsforsuchmissionsandevaluatesuccessand failure?UnderstandingthecaseofSomaliaoverthelastdecadecanshed importantlightontheseandotherquestionsatatimewhenmoreorganizationsthaneverbeforeareconductingmilitaryoperationsdesignedtobring peacetovariouswar-tornterritories,perhapsmostnotablyinAfghanistan, Iraq,DemocraticRepublicoftheCongo(DRC),Mali,CentralAfricanRepublic (CAR),theLakeChadBasin,centralAfrica,andtheSahel.

InitiallycomprisingjustonebattlegroupofUgandansoldierswhowere airliftedintoMogadishuon6March2007,AMISOMwasthe fifthpeacesupport operationauthorizedbytheAfricanUnion(AU),followingearliermissionsin Burundi,Sudan,andtheComoros.Itwasremarkableinseveralrespects.First,it wouldbecometheAU’slargestpeaceoperationbyaconsiderablemargin. Indeed,bymid-2017,AMISOMwasthelargestdeploymentofuniformed peacekeepersintheworld.Second,itbecamethelongestrunningmission underAUcommandandcontrol,outlastingthenearestcontender theAU MissioninSudan byoversevenyears.Unsurprisingly,therefore,AMISOM alsobecametheAU’smostexpensiveoperation,atitspeakcostingapproximatelyUS$1billionperyear.AstheonlyAU-ledpeaceoperationlaunched between2007and2012,AMISOMalsobecameakeybarometerforthebroader debatesabouthowmuchprogresswasbeingmadetowardsbuildingtheAfrican PeaceandSecurityArchitecture.And,sadly,AMISOMbecametheAU’sdeadliestmission,althoughasdiscussedbelowtheprecisenumberoffatalitiesand woundedwasnotmadepublic.AMISOMwasalsounusualinadoctrinalsense. Althoughitwasoftenreferredtoasapeacekeepingoperation,includingattimes onthemission’sownwebsite,AMISOM’smandatedtaskswentwellbeyondthe realmofpeacekeeping,includingVIPprotection,war-fighting,counterinsurgency,stabilization,andstate-buildingaswellassupportingelectoralprocesses andfacilitatinghumanitarianassistance.

Thisbookhastwocentralaims,whicharereflectedinitstwoparts.First,it aimstoprovideadetailedanalysisofAMISOM’sevolutionfromitsgenesisin anearlier,failedregionalinitiativein2005uptomid-2017.Duringthattime, AMISOMevolvedgeographically,politically,andmilitarily.Geographically, themissionstartedoutinthehighlyunusualpositionofhavingitsmilitary componentdeployedinonecountry,Somalia,butitsciviliancomponent, includingtheheadofmission,deployedinanothercountry,Kenya.Inside Somalia,AMISOMgraduallyevolvedfromoccupyingjustahandfulofstrategic locationsinMogadishutocoveringanareaofoperationsthatencompassedthe wholeofsouth-centralSomalia,aregionroughlythesizeofIraq.Politically, havinginitiallyconcludedthatAMISOM’speacekeepersshouldnotbedrawn fromSomalia’sneighbouringcountries,theAUandUNSecurityCouncil reversedthisdecision,andfrom2012Somalia’sneighboursbecameanincreasinglyimportantpartofthemission’smilitarycomponent(seeTableI.1).

TableI.1. AMISOMTCCsarmysize,defencespending(US$),andcontribution

CountryJoined AMISOM Army Size DefenceSpending (deploymentyear) AMISOMContribution (est.maximum)

Uganda 200745,000232m6,200

Burundi 200735,00078m5,400

Djibouti 20118,000Unknown(2010)12m1,800

Kenya 201220,000942m4,300

SierraLeone 201310,50014m850

Ethiopia 2014135,000375m4,400

Source:IISS, TheMilitaryBalance (London:Taylor&Francis,2007,2008,2010,2011,2012,2013, 2014,2015).

Fig.I.1. AMISOMAuthorizedandDeployedStrength,2007–17

Source:CompiledbyauthorfromofficialAUandUNsourcesandinterviews.

Militarily,AMISOM’sinitialauthorizedstrengthwas8,000,aratioofapproximatelyonepeacekeeperforevery1,125Somalis.Thiswassubsequentlyincreasedto12,000uniformedpersonnelinDecember2010,17,731inFebruary 2012,andinNovember2013atemporary ‘ surge ’ raisedthatnumberto22,126, whichwasstillinoperationbylate2017.However,asillustratedinFigureI.1, AMISOM’sdeployedstrengthincreasedirregularly.²Startingwithapproximately1,600Ugandantroops,ittookAMISOMoverthreeandahalfyearsto

²In2007,onlytenofAMISOM’suniformedpersonnelwerewomen.By1November2017, AMISOM’smilitarycomponenthad741women,whilewomenrepresented20percentofits policecomponent.SeeAMISOMSRCC’sTweetathttps://twitter.com/AmbFMadeira/status/ 925729141659521026

reachitsinitialauthorizedstrength.Themissionsubsequentlyenlargedintwo significantburstsin2012andearly2014.

Thebook’ssecondaimistounderstandhowAMISOManditskeypartners triedtoovercomethemajorchallengesconfrontingthemission,andwhat lessonsshouldbelearnedfromtheirexperiences.Aswillbecomeclear,the focusofmyanalysisisnottheinternationalandregionalpoliticaldebatesthat tookplaceaboutAMISOM,principallybetweenthemembersoftheAU’ s PeaceandSecurityCouncilinAddisAbaba,theIntergovernmentalAuthority onDevelopment(IGAD)inDjibouti,theUNSecurityCouncilinNewYork,or theEuropeanUnion(EU)inBrussels.Instead,myfocusontheoperational levelisinkeepingwiththeprimarypurposeofpeaceoperations,toinfluence outcomesonthegroundintheirhostcountry,andhowAMISOM’spersonnel andtheirpartnerswentabouttheirjobs.Thisbookthereforeoffersacritical politicalanalysisofwhatIconsidertobethesixmostimportantoperational challengesthatconfrontedAMISOMbetween2007and2017,namely,logistics,securitysectorreform,civilianprotection,strategiccommunications, stabilization,anddevelopingasuccessfulexitstrategy.Eachoftheseissues playedanimportantpartinshapingAMISOM’sactivities.Theyarealso salientformosttwenty-first-centurypeaceoperationsandhencelessons fromAMISOM’sexperiencesmaywellhavewiderapplicabilitybeyondSomalia. Withthesepointsinmind,therestofthisintroductorychapterdoes fourthings.First,itexplainswhatIwillrefertoasthe ‘AMISOMmodel’ , thatis,howthemissionwasorganizedandfunctioned.Second,itnoteshow AMISOMservesasanimportantcasestudyforseveralbroaderdebatesabout contemporarypeaceoperations.Third,itbrieflyoutlinessomeofmyprincipal argumentsaboutthemission.Finally,itsummarizesthesourcesutilized duringtheresearchforthisbook.

THEAMISOM ‘ MODEL ’

IusethephrasetheAMISOM ‘model’ asshorthandtodescribehowthe missionwasorganizedacrossthethreedimensionsofpoliticalauthority, financing,andoperations.³Inbrief,theAMISOMmodelbecameextremely

³ReferencestoAMISOMasapotentialmodelforrespondingtoothercrisesstartedappearingafterlate2011whenthemissionforced al-Shabaab towithdrawitsmainforcesfrom Mogadishuandbegantobeviewedasarelativesuccess.See,forexample,MattFreearand CedricdeConing, ‘LessonsfromtheAfricanUnionMissionforSomalia(AMISOM)forPeace OperationsinMali’ , Stability,2:2(2013),http://www.stabilityjournal.org/article/view/sta.bj/76; CeciliaHullWiklund, TheRoleoftheAfricanUnionMissioninSomalia (Sweden:FOI,June 2013);and ‘Letterdated20January2013fromtheSecretary-GeneraladdressedtothePresident oftheSecurityCouncil’,(S/2013/37,21January2013).

complicatedbecauseitrequiredsignificantcoordinationandcooperation betweenatleastthreeinternationalorganizationsandanarrayofbilateral partners.Specifically,formostofitsduration,AMISOMrequiredtheAUto providethetroops,theEUtopaythem(andprovideotherformsofsupport), theUNtoprovidelogisticssupport,andkeybilateralpartners,notablythe UnitedStatesandUnitedKingdom,toprovideequipment,training,andother formsofsecurityassistancetothetroop-contributingcountries(TCCs).

Asaconsequence,whileAMISOM’sactivitieswereprincipallyconductedin Somalia,inordertounderstandhowthemissionwasorganizedandmadekey decisions,theanalysismustalsoexplorepoliticalprocessesinAddisAbaba, NewYork,Nairobi,andBrussels,aswellasinthecapitalcitiesofeachofits majorcontributingcountriesandexternalpartners.Itmustalsotakeaccount oftheactivitiesofthemission’sprincipalopponent, al-Shabaab,whichalso operatedbeyondSomalia.

PoliticalAuthority

AMISOMdrewitsauthorityfromboththeAUPeaceandSecurityCounciland theUNSecurityCouncil.AttheUN,themissionwasauthorizedbySecurity Councilresolutionstohelpmaintaininternationalpeaceandsecurityand respondtotheparticularthreatposedby al-Shabaab militants.TheseresolutionsalsodefinedthedetailsofAMISOM’smandateandspecifiedthenatureof UNsupportitcouldreceive.AttheAU,itwasthePeaceandSecurityCouncil thatinitiallymandatedAMISOM.Operationalauthorityoverthemissionwas subsequentlyvestedintheChairpersonoftheAUCommission,whodelegated responsibilityforallpeaceoperationstotheCommissionerforPeaceand Security,withresponsibilityfortheday-to-daystrategiccoordinationissues fallingtotheCommission’sPeaceSupportOperationsDivision(PSOD). UnlikethecaseofDarfur,wheretheAUCommissionestablishedtheIntegratedTaskForcetooverseeitspeaceoperationthere,nodedicatedequivalent structurewascreatedforAMISOM,althoughseveraladhocmechanismswere establishedfrom2012atthebehestofAMISOM’sTCCsandsomeofits externalpartners.WiththeapprovaloftheAUPeaceandSecurityCouncil, theCommissionChairpersonappointedaSpecialRepresentative(SRCC)as headofthemissionwhoexercisedauthorityoverAMISOM’smilitary,police, andciviliancomponents.TheSRCCreportedtotheChairpersonthroughthe CommissionerforPeaceandSecurity.AMISOM’sseniorleadershipappointmentsarelistedinAppendixB,whileanindicativesnapshotofthemission’ s internalorganizationfrom2012isprovidedinFigureI.2.From1995untilJune 2013,theUNalsooperatedaspecialpoliticalmissioninSomalia,theUN PoliticalOfficeforSomalia(UNPOS),whichsubsequentlytransitionedintoa largerUNAssistanceMission(UNSOM).Bothoftheseinteractedwithand

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